The sports betting market has continued to grow in recent years, evolving into a globally competitive industry. Because of the internet's growth, the rapid development of software technologies, and the growing use of mobile devices have shifted radically. Numerous online sportsbooks allow sports bettors to engage in [online soccer betting Singapore](https://88proasia.com/sportsbook/) and [football betting Malaysia](https://88proasia.com/sportsbook/).

Online bookmakers are simply betting platforms. They determine the odds for sporting events, receive bets from bettors, and pay them out if they win. Bookmakers are classified into two broad categories: sharp and gentle bookmakers. Here are some things to consider when differentiating them.

## Target Market

Sharp bookmakers cater to professional sports bettors, sometimes referred to as "sharps" or "wise guys." Sharp bettors are experienced gamblers with a history of winning and the primary goal of making money from betting.

On the other hand, soft bookmakers are the opposite of sharp bookmakers: they cater to square bettors and the general betting public. "Square bettors," also known as "ordinary Joes," "recreational gamblers," or "casual bettors," think of gambling as a form of entertainment and usually only bet for fun.

## Betting Odds

Sharp bookmakers utilize traders to build their odd lines and regularly update their odds to market fluctuations. Unlike sharp bookmakers, soft bookmakers often adjust their odds more slowly as they utilize traders and manual processes. They modify their lines manually or replicate the lines of shrewd bookies.

## Marketing Efforts

Sharp bookmakers are more efficient in marketing and offer smaller welcome bonuses. Conversely, soft bookmakers are active marketers who advertise and offer great bonuses and promotions.

## Which Type of Sportsbook Should Bettors Use?

Both soft and sharp bookmakers are available to professional and square bettors. Both types of bookmakers have their advantages.

Sharp and soft bookmakers can offer arbitrage betting bettors their benefits. Arbitrage betting involves smart placing multiple bets on one event to ensure a profit. These sportsbooks are less likely than others to set limits on bettors' betting accounts.

Because soft bookmakers are slower to update their odds, there are often arbitrage possibilities. Arbitrage betting can be found in many places, but bettors should be careful not to arb. They could lose their account or get banned from the betting website.

To learn more, here is an [infographic](https://88proasia.com/sharp-soft-bookmakers-differences/) from 88ProAsia.

![Sharp-vs-Soft-Bookmakers_Whats-The-Difference-singapore-sports-bet-Malaysia-infographic](https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.83/xmg.c77.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sharp-vs-Soft-Bookmakers_Whats-The-Difference-01.png)